The largest engine of evolution is the cycle of feast and famine. During the feast, when energy and resources are abundant, individuals have the time and freedom to experiment and explore, creating and discovering many new things. However, when the famine comes, when energy and resources disappear, individuals will throw away everything that does not help them surmount the greatest risk to their survival.

The is how evolution follows the path of greatest risk.

The more evolved the species, the more likely this process is self inflicted. The exuberance of the feast causes individuals to disconnect from their environment. Being disconnected from the environment sends things spiraling out of control at an exponential rate.